GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The Cooling Fan Relay 1 and the Cooling Fan Relay 2 are controlled by the engine control module (ECM). Battery positive voltage is supplied to the relay coil. The ECM monitors the voltage level on the control circuit of the relay. When the relay is OFF, voltage level should be near battery voltage on the control circuit of the relay. When the relay is commanded ON, voltage level will be low on the control circuit of the relay. The ECM will provide ground on the control circuit of the relay using a low side driver. If the ECM detects a improper voltage level on the control circuit of the relay, a DTC will set.

DTC Descriptors

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:

    • DTC P0480 Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit
    • DTC P0481 Cooling Fan Relay 2 Control Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON or the engine is operating.
    • The ignition 1 voltage is more than 10 volts.
    • DTCs P0480 and P0481 run continuously once the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects one of the following conditions on the control circuit of one of the relays:

    • An open
    • A short to ground
    • A short to voltage

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate.
    • The ECM will record operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information will be stored in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • DTCs can be cleared by using the scan tool.
    • Disconnect the ECM battery feed for more than 10 seconds.

Diagnostic Aids

    • For an intermittent condition, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .
    • The following tables illustrate the COOL FAN LOW relay and COOL FAN HIGH relay terminal locations in the underhood fuse block:

COOL FAN LOW Relay Terminal Identification

Low Speed Cooling Fan Supply Voltage

Ignition 1 Voltage

Control

B+ Switch

Front of Vehicle

COOL FAN HI Relay Terminal Identification

High Speed Cooling Fan Supply Voltage

Ignition 1 Voltage

Control

B+ Switch

Front of Vehicle

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. A test lamp that remains illuminated indicates a short to ground on the control circuit. A test lamp that does not illuminate indicates an open or short to voltage on the control circuit.

  2. This step tests the control circuit for high resistance.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Cooling System Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With a scan tool, command the Fan Low Speed ON and OFF.

Does the relay turn ON and OFF with each command?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

With a scan tool, command the Fan High Speed ON and OFF.

Do the relay turn ON and OFF with each command?

--

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the affected relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Probe the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the affected relay coil with a test lamp connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 13

5

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Probe the control circuit of the affected relay with a test lamp connected to battery positive.
  3. With a scan tool, command the affected relay ON and OFF.

Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Does the test lamp remain illuminated?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the MAIN relay in the underhood fuse block.
  3. Measure the resistance of the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the affected relay coil from the MAIN relay terminal to the affected relay terminal.

Is the resistance less than the specified value?

3 ohms

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 13

8

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Important: Use a test lamp that measures between 25-30 ohms for this test.

  3. Probe the control circuit of the affected relay with a test lamp connected to battery positive voltage.
  4. With a scan tool, command the affected relay ON.
  5. Measure the voltage from the probe of the test lamp to a good ground with a DMM.

Is the voltage less than the specified value?

2.5 V

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

Test the control circuit of the affected relay for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 12

10

Test the control circuit of the affected relay for one of the following conditions:

    • An open
    • A short to voltage
    • High resistance

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 12

11

Test for shorted terminals and poor connections at the affected relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 14

12

Test for shorted terminals and poor connections at the engine control module (ECM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

13

Repair the open, short to ground, or high resistance on the ignition 1 voltage circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 16

--

14

Replace the affected relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

15

Replace the ECM.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

16

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 17

17

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK